Dublin Citizen

08/28/2026

Fire update: The Ross Fire acreage has been adjusted and is at 85,000 acres, with 26% containment. Fire services are working on fire lines, containment with dozers and aircraft.

We are still in high heat, fire danger with a burn ban. Please be responsible, our firefighters are really tired and we don't need another fire.

Dublin FD specifically is needing individual Gatorades which can be dropped off at City Hall Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

08/28/2026

Photo Gallery: A tiny art showcase at Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council’s Stephenville gallery is on display through Aug. 29 and shows that anything from a tin to tiny easels, to leaves, to yarn can present a masterpiece. (Photos by Wyndi Veigel-Gaudette/The Dublin Citizen).

For coverage in print, see the Aug. 27 edition.

08/27/2026

Ross fire has been updated to 87,796.1 acres with 21 percent containment, per A&M Forest Service.

08/27/2026

Ross fire update: We are still waiting on an update from Texas A&M Forest Service for new estimate on size and containment. Last numbers we have was 83,485 acres and 12% containment.

It is possible we may experience stray smoke again today. However, if you see new smoke or fire call 9-1-1.

From Jack County Emergency Management, Fire crews worked through the night putting out hotspots and active fire along the perimeter.

After the first night stopping the head of the fire making a hard run to Hwy 380, the quick actions of county maintainers cutting the bar ditches, the Jack County local fire departments, and the State TIFMAS fire departments back burning off the Hwy, the fire had lost its fuel to stay alive.

As morning came to light, fire crews started implementing containment lines and cleaning up the untouched pockets that cause fires to not stay in it boundaries.

At the end of the 2nd day, the fire is had lost it's steam. Fire fighters could set back and take a deep breath from the tireless and exhausting work from the last 48 hours.

08/27/2026

A change in how registration fees in the county are allocated will result in helping children and families.

At the Monday, Aug. 24 Erath County Commissioners Court meeting, commissioners discussed and decided on optional fees assessed every time a person registers their vehicle.

Tax Assessor-Collector Valerie Stephen presented options to the court. For many years, the court has assessed an extra $10 designated for the county’s road and bridge fund. With about 45,000 vehicle registrations in the county, this equates to $450,000.

Another option fee that the county can adopt is a child safety fee ranging from $.50 to $1.50.

Though the county has never adopted this fee before, Stephen said it might be a good time to consider it. Cross Timbers Family Services Executive Director Laura Gambino spoke about what CTFS provides for the county including a legislatively mandated SART (Sexual Abuse Response Team), free counseling for victims of any kind of violent crime or abuse for all ages, a 24/7 hotline, protective order assistance, courtroom support for victims and a family violence taskforce, as well as serving as partners for law enforcement agencies throughout the county. The agency provides its services through grants and donations, without baseline funding from the county.

The fee can be used for crossing guard programs, child safety, health or nutrition programs, child abuse prevention and intervention, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and public safety and security programs.

Though the commissioners all agreed that CTFS was a great asset to the county, they did not want to add an additional expense to the taxpayers.

Ultimately, commissioners and County Judge Brandon Huckabee voted unanimously to lower the Road and Bridge fee to $9, and allocate $1 for child safety. Though part of the money must be spent on crosswalk safety, a portion will also be designated to Cross Timbers Family Services.

For the complete story see the Aug. 27 edition, or click here: https://www.dublincitizen.com/news/county-adjusts-road-fee-child-safety

08/27/2026

These great pets are available through the Erath County Humane Society. For more pets, go to erathcountyhumanesociety.com.

08/26/2026

The latest edition of the Dublin Citizen is now available at racks throughout Dublin, DeLeon, Comanche and Stephenville. To support local community journalism subscribe for $37 a year in county for print and unlimited online access. To subscribe call 254-445-5515, go to dublinciti-zen.com or come by and visit us at 938 N. Patrick Street.

08/26/2026

Update: three patients have been transported, one unconscious and two were talking.

Medical emergency in Dublin: First responders are going to a swarm of bees attacking people on Post Oak Street near the Railroad track. One patient unconscious and one patient talking. Avoid the area and pull over for first responders going to the scene.

Send a message to learn more

08/26/2026

If you haven’t signed up for Erath County’s alert notification system, now is the time!

https://www.co.erath.tx.us/m/newsflash/home/detail/120?fbclid=IwY2xjawT71OJwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR60zpUY4zDpi6uULmarG07rtJYwdtCO7TgdaqGB3tUqiVpOEb0et9g3xJIQTA_aem_VHpGwyTCFQjOpAuRUSxf4A

Sign up for Everbridge Alerts Here...

08/26/2026

This morning, Texas A&M Forest Service updated Ross Fire to 81,997.1 acres, with 12% containment in Palo Pinto and Jack counties. Fire crews from all over, including from Erath are helping. With the cool front there will be a wind shift with the fire moving south/southeast. Collective efforts were able to stop the fire from moving into Young County.

With the wind shift, there will most likely be smoky conditions today in Erath County. However, if you see flames or new smoke plumes, please call 9-1-1. If you are sensitive to smoke or have a respiratory condition, please take precautions. Limit outdoor activities, keep windows and doors closed when smoke is heavy, and use an air purifier/clean-air space if you have one.

The Rio Escondido Fire in Hamilton County is 2,650 acres with 75% containment.

There are also a couple of smaller fires - The Yellow Square fire in Coryell County at 254 acres (90% containment) and the Adams Fire in Lampasas County at 160.9 acres (50% containment).

Please stay fire aware today as dry conditions will continue, as well as high heat indexes. Watch Duty is a great app to download to keep updated on fires and alerts as is Erath County Emergency Management on Facebook for specific county information and Palo Pinto Scanner Group on Facebook.